Archives for 8 May 2013

"South End is my home, my family, my friends, the memories I have of my parents and their parents. All this will only be a distant memory."
The Port Elizabeth Gilbert and Sullivan Society have a long and proud tradition of presenting the highest quality musical theatre productions to the Port Elizabeth community. In 2011 and 2012 G&S staged the critically acclaimed Fiela’s Child the Musical, an original South African work written by renowned stage and television performer, Ian von Memerty. This year G&S present another truly South African production, telling a story that will resonate deeply with Port Elizabeth residents who remember the thriving, cosmopolitan community that was South End before the forced removals and give younger audiences a glimpse into that troubled period in our history.
Sounds of South End is written by local writer, actor and director, Herbie Clayton. This stirring drama with popular music from the 60’s tells the story of the Dietrich family, who have been served with a notice to vacate their home in South End and move to the Northern Areas. Audiences will share their journey as they deal with the pain of leaving the only home they have ever known, the loss of their community, and the injustice of Apartheid laws regarding mixed marriage. In the midst of the heartache they find joy in their love for each other, their friends and an unshakeable faith in God’s plan for their future. The 30 strong cast depict the diversity of races, ages and attitudes that made South End so unique.
Harry Dietrich, the once strong family patriarch, played by Desmond Marks, swears he will never leave and as he falls into decline, his wife Helen becomes the family’s strength. Eviction is not the only challenge facing these parents. Daughter Patty (Joylene Groener) fights with her father over her love for her dark skinned boyfriend James, played by Jody Butler. Shirley, her headstrong, rebellious sister, risks prison to be with her white boyfriend Peter much to her family, the community and his mother’s disapproval. Shirley will be played alternately by Beverley-Ann Blignaut and Carmen Cairncross, with Peter played by Cuan Louw and his mother by Rose Cowpar. The cast also features Annelize Abdoll, Christina Fortuin, Valencia Stone, Gavin Harry, Henry Muller, Marlon Primo and Shanelle Stone.
Audiences will instantly recognise songs such as … [Read more...]

The Longmore Forests will come alive with motor sport rally action on the 11 May 2013 when National and local rally cars will take advantage of this event by competing in the 2nd round of the 50k Algoa Rally Championship, particularly the Longmore Forest stages , starting at the Ocean Basket in Uitenhage at 9:00 am with scrutineering and documentation. The first gravel stage will be run at Jagtvlakte for the benefit of the Uitenhage supporters, entering from the old power station road, then will proceed to the next few stages in the Longmore Forests from the Hanky turn off.
National competitors and reigning SA Rally Champions Mark Cronje and Robin Houghton driving a Ford S200, are expected to lead the field of 30 Vehicles that will use this event as a pre-National test session. This will also include Volkswagen Sasol Racing team of Enzo Kuun, Hergen Fekken, Henk Lategan and Team Castrol Toyota Johnny Gemmel and Leeroy Poulter and navigators. Local National competitors Morne Janse Van Rensburg and navigator Rikus Fourie will use this event as home town advantage, as well as Bryan and Andrew Heine, Rikus Smit, Ross Bartle and Neels Vosloo driving Nissan’s, Toyota’s and VW Polo’s.
The R 50 000.00 prize on offer for the local rally championship will be hotly contested between the classes of:
S3 - 2000 cc - VW Polo – Nissan – VW Golf – Ford - Daewoo
S2 – 1600 cc – Toyota – VW Polo – VW Golf
S1 – 1400 cc – VW Citi Golf - Nissan
Local competitors stand an equal chance of winning the annual championship scoring points in their classes for first, second and third in class. The 1400 cc class consists of a variety of vehicles dominated by the VW Motor Sport prepared development class of Citi Golfs driven by Rohan Van Vuuren and Jacques Louw expected to be the front runners, with Denzou Ferreira driving a Nissen 1400 LDV amongst the pack.
This rally has unique qualities with the latest National Rally vehicles competing along with the older models of Ford Escort Iddo Steyn and Navigator Mark Irvine to compare stage times from old and new technology.
The rally will end in the Longmore forests at around 4:00 pm and the National competitors will return home hoping to have vehicle set up and seat time for the next National rally which is the Volkswagen National Rally held in Port Elizabeth and surrounds on the 19-20 July 2013
For more details on the … [Read more...]